The Saint Louis University New Venture Accelerator (NVA) provides SLU founders the opportunity to launch their entrepreneurial journeys with access to funding, resources, advisors, and guidance to propel their ideas to reality. SLU NVA participants are eligible for equity-free investments up to $50,000 through a special accelerator fund.
Our 14-week accelerator is curated to the needs of each summer cohort, focusing on
customer discovery, validation, business development, revenue modeling, and more.
Our modules are designed to leverage the success and knowledge of our faculty, mentors,
and advisors to improve the participants' chances of success.
The accelerator culminates with a demo day in August for invited investors, strategic
partners, and ecosystem leaders for final pitches from our SLU NVA graduates.
Process and Key Dates
Applications are due | March 27, 2024
The actual application (including your two-minute pitch) is due.
Applications reviewed, finalists chosen | April 10, 2024
The applications submitted here will be reviewed, and the top 10 applicants will be
selected as finalists.
Finalist Pitch Day | April 16, 2024
The selected finalists will be invited to a finalist pitch day. During this time,
finalists will give an in-person five-minute pitch with 10 minutes of Q&A from a panel
of judges.
Finalists Announced | April 30, 2024
Of the 10 finalists, up to five will be selected to participate in this year's cohort.
Eligibility Requirements
To complete your accelerator application, please review the eligibility requirements
below. Be sure to read all instructions and notes related to the application before
submitting. Keep in mind, there is a two-minute video-pitch requirement as part of
the application — don’t wait until the last minute to start this!
At least one co-founder or owner of 10% or more of the company’s equity must be a
Saint Louis University undergraduate, graduate, or recent alumni (up to five years)
from any SLU degree program.
Furthermore, at least one team member must be present in person at the weekly in-person sessions in St. Louis on Cortex’s campus.
The application window has closed.
Interested in becoming a mentor for the New Venture Accelerator? Sign Up to be a SLU eMentor
For more information, contact Hayley Johnston at hayley.johnston@slu.edu